Arrest of Bartow County Sherriff’s Office Deputy

May 17, 2016

Bartow County, GA – On Tuesday, May 17, 2016, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested Bartow County Sheriff's Office Deputy Josh Nelson, age 31, on violation of oath of office, possession of methamphetamine, and sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority. All charges are felonies.

On Monday, May 9, 2016, the GBI was requested by the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office to investigate allegations that Deputy Nelson abused his authority as a sworn officer. The female victim alleged that during a non-custodial transport Deputy Nelson took inappropriate photos of her. The Bartow County Sheriff’s Office initiated an internal affairs investigation and requested GBI conduct a criminal investigation. The GBI investigation resulted in three arrest warrants for Deputy Nelson.

Deputy Nelson had been employed with the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office for 6 years and 10 months.

Deputy Nelson was arrested by GBI agents and Bartow County Deputies. Once the investigation is completed, it will be turned over to Cherokee Judicial Circuit DA Rosemary Greene for prosecution.